ASTORIA, Ore. -- Who released more than 1,000 mink from an Astoria farm?

A fur industry group wants to find out.

Fur Commission USA is offering a $100,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction after several cases of mink being released from ranches in the western United States and British Columbia.

Sheriff's deputies said the latest case came early Friday morning when mink were released from Ylipelto's Fur Farm and then ran into an Astoria neighborhood.

The owners were able to catch the majority of the mink, but hundreds are still running loose.

Breanna Regier, who lives in the area, said the loose mink are cause for concern.

"When they're outside playing, I just worry because a few neighbors say they've been running around in their yards," Regier said. "I don't want the kids getting bit or anything like that."

Thirty-five mink were killed by large dogs, according to the Fur Commission.

The North American Animal Liberation said on its Web site that animal liberationists sent an anonymous communiqué claiming responsibility for the raid. The statement said an unknown activist opened the cages to free the mink from people who "abuse innocent life."

The identity of the person who opened the cage remains unknown.

In September, the Animal Liberation Front claimed responsibility for releasing hundreds of mink from a fur farm in Scio. Last April, the ALF also said it released 53 mink from the Jefferson Fur Farm.